MSR  Thru-Hiker Mesh House 2 Shelter

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Whichever the trail—AT, PCT, CDT or TBD—the MSR Thru-Hiker Mesh House 2 shelter lets you configure the right combination of weight and protection that's right for your trip.

Color: Red
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Features

  • Minimum weight of just 14 oz. when you use your trekking poles for setup (trekking poles not included)
  • Durable Xtreme Shield™ waterproof floor
  • Floor plan accommodates a large camping pad, plus gear
  • Micromesh canopy offers maximum ventilation, moisture control and bug-free protection
  • Pair with a compatible Thru-Hiker 70 Wing or 100 Wing (sold separately) for added wind and rain protection
  • To protect tent floor from excessive wear and tear, pair with the MSR Universal footprint 2 (sold separately)

Imported.

View all MSR Bug Shelters

Technical Specs

Best Use

Backpacking

Weight

1 lb. 2 oz.

Number of Doors

1 door

Design Type

Nonfreestanding

Reviews
12 reviews with an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars

Ratings Snapshot

Product Rating

3 out of 5 (60%) reviewers recommend this product

Review this Product

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Average Customer Ratings

Setup

Very Easy SetupDifficult Setup

Most Helpful Favorable Review

5 reviews with an average rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars
Great inner-netting if you know what you're buying
Walk The Parks
5 years ago
An A-Frame tarp with an inner-net such as this Thru hiker mesh house 2 is my preferred 3-season shelter. Gets a bit too breezy for me when it starts to get cold, though. Absolutely the best for ventilation with bug protection in the summer. Not sure you can find a setup that'll give you less condensation... Definitely more challenging to set up, but that's another fun part of it for me.If you don't put your tarp over it, the MSR inner net is ideal for star gazing while the bugs stay far away. Have used this setup for over 5000 miles during thru hikes of the AT and PCT as well as many other shorter trips. (All 5000 miles with MLD Grace Duo Tarp, approx. 3,000 miles with MSR mesh house 2 underneath. I'm 6'4". A mansion for 1, but also just enough for 2. One drawback besides having to know what you're doing to set this up with or without a tarp, is that it can be a bit challenging to get in and out and the zipper is fairly close to the ground and you can unintentionally jam it into the ground and dirt. My zipper is starting to fail a bit, but after 3,000 miles I suppose I can't complain too much. As long as you've honed your skills a bit with an A Frame tarp, the setup provides ample storm protection. One more drawback: If this is set up in a car camping site or other more crowded campgrounds, you don't have the most privacy. One more benefit: if you buy this you must have a tarp too, and tarps can be awesome to set up for an extended mid-day break on a rainy day.
Walk The Parks
Aspen, CO
30 people found this review helpful

Most Helpful Critical Review

5 reviews with an average rating of 1.0 out of 5 stars
Cheap
Southaven MS
5 years ago
Bought this tent online and got it today. I had hoped to take it to the AT with me next week. Was pretty excited about it so I set it up right away. The tent itself was spacious and ok. My issue is the stakes are so cheap. How would someone use this thing on the rocky AT if the stakes bend in my backyard on initial setup. And I’m talking in the moist Mississippi mud here. It’s going back tomorrow. Disappointed is an understatement. I have had 5 other REI tents and have never had any issues.
Southaven MS
Southaven MS
8 people found this review helpful

Customer Images

Tennessee slim
Tennessee
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Fast and light!

4 years ago

I've been looking for a 2p net tent for awhile to combine with my rab element 2 floor less tarp shelter. This was a near perfect option for me but hesitant because of the $200 price tag. Recently saw r.e.i had marked it down 25% and I pulled the trigger. I'm familiar with m.s.r products and this seems to reinforce my love for them. This option saves almost a pound from the rab version and equals the weight of the hmg echo 2 dynemma net tent. Thanks again r.e.i and m.s.r

Age:25–34
Weight:125–150 lbs.
Height:6'0"
Yes , I recommend this product

Setup

Very Easy SetupDifficult Setup
Helpful?
Kilo
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

What More Could you Want?

4 years ago

I felt obligated to write this review because others who gave it a bad review obviously don’t understand the concept of a light weight through-hiking shelter…Hints the name 'Thru-Hiker Mesh House Shelter'… When you are covering a lot of ground and trying to keep your weight to an absolute minimum, then this shelter is a great option. I personally don't like using poles but 90% of time we’ll be camping near trees, and the other 10% of times you can usually find a stick; voila. I like using this shelter paired with a tarp because it allows you to use endless combinations of setting up. I'd recommend getting some extra string and brushing up on your knot tying, but if you’re already a little technically savvy, and want to go the extra mile, this shelter is a fantastic option. Happy Adventuring!!

Age:35–44
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:6'4"
Yes , I recommend this product

Setup

Very Easy SetupDifficult Setup
Helpful?
Walk The Parks
Aspen, CO
Rated 4.0 out of 5 stars

Great inner-netting if you know what you're buying

5 years ago

An A-Frame tarp with an inner-net such as this Thru hiker mesh house 2 is my preferred 3-season shelter. Gets a bit too breezy for me when it starts to get cold, though. Absolutely the best for ventilation with bug protection in the summer. Not sure you can find a setup that'll give you less condensation... Definitely more challenging to set up, but that's another fun part of it for me.If you don't put your tarp over it, the MSR inner net is ideal for star gazing while the bugs stay far away. Have used this setup for over 5000 miles during thru hikes of the AT and PCT as well as many other shorter trips. (All 5000 miles with MLD Grace Duo Tarp, approx. 3,000 miles with MSR mesh house 2 underneath. I'm 6'4". A mansion for 1, but also just enough for 2. One drawback besides having to know what you're doing to set this up with or without a tarp, is that it can be a bit challenging to get in and out and the zipper is fairly close to the ground and you can unintentionally jam it into the ground and dirt. My zipper is starting to fail a bit, but after 3,000 miles I suppose I can't complain too much. As long as you've honed your skills a bit with an A Frame tarp, the setup provides ample storm protection. One more drawback: If this is set up in a car camping site or other more crowded campgrounds, you don't have the most privacy. One more benefit: if you buy this you must have a tarp too, and tarps can be awesome to set up for an extended mid-day break on a rainy day.

Height:6'4"
Yes , I recommend this product

Setup

Very Easy SetupDifficult Setup
Helpful?
Frito
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Just a terrific shelter with flexibility!

5 years ago

I used this along with a 100 wing on a 5 day hike with my PCTer friend from Snoqualmie to Stevens Pass. It held up in the first snow of the season the first night when we got over a foot during the night and was ready to go the next night while camping below treeline. It was super easy to set up, In fact, on the 3rd day, one of my trekking poles broke, but I was able to modify my setup by using a nearby tree. On the 4th day, I lost the 2nd trekking after slipping in a stream. I was able to set it up using 2 trees that night. This is a solid 3 season shelter with it holding its own on the odd heavy snow night. Matched really well with the wing.

Originally posted on a Cascade Designs brand site
JayhawkNavy02
San Diego, CA
Rated 1.0 out of 5 stars

Great Tent - Flawed Design

5 years ago

We took this out one time, and promptly returned it. The price is deceptive. You'll want poles, using the trekking sticks is terrible and we finally figured out to wrap them around and cut a groove/channel into the handle. Regardless, we still have some tip overs when bumping into the poles. The tent itself is typical MSR quality, which is amazing, but the tent is relatively tight for a tall guy 6'2"+ but wide enough to be comfortable. The tent does not come with a rain fly so factor the cost in plus poles and it gets expensive quick. If MSR could include poles and a rain fly that wouldn't collapse this would be a winner.

No, I do not recommend this product
Helpful?
Pauly W.
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Part of a great modular shelter system.

6 years ago

The best part about this bug shelter for me is the way it can be quickly setup underneath an existing tarp, allowing the tarp to be used as a cooking shelter/windbreak and then putting up the netting when it's time for bed. Setting up the tarp first also lets the mesh house stay dry during rainy setup/breakdowns. The solid nylon on one end is also very nice at blocking the weather when you're using trees to make a ridgeline and can't quite get the tarp oriented perfectly perpendicular to the wind. I would recommend the mesh house 3 for two people, but the 2 is great for one person on an extended trip, lots of room to organize.

Originally posted on a Cascade Designs brand site
Poopynips
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Light and simple

9 years ago

I work as a backpacking guide and was looking for a lightweight modular shelter depending on where I am, time of year and weather. This is perfect. I combined this with the 70 wing and I can roll with one or both depending on the circumstances. To keep me from having an arsenal of tents and bivies this is perfect to provide for most of my needs while Im out. Downside is it is kind of expensive and I cant yet really speak to durability. Set up isn't too hard although if youre used to setting up freestanding tents this will take a bit of practice. Totally worth it. Only other difficulty is learning not to kick out your trekking pole when youre trying to get in the shelter.

Originally posted on a Cascade Designs brand site
Drinkwater
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Nice and roomy

9 years ago

Just got back from a fastpack on the Appalachian trail with my dog. First time with my new MSR Mesh House 2. Really happy, it went up fast strung between two trees. Great quality and lots of room.

Originally posted on a Cascade Designs brand site
Robert O.
Rated 4.0 out of 5 stars

Good for bugs. Small for

1 year ago

Good for bugs. Small for two. Very light.

Originally posted on a Cascade Designs brand site
Southaven MS
Southaven MS
Rated 1.0 out of 5 stars

Cheap

5 years ago

Bought this tent online and got it today. I had hoped to take it to the AT with me next week. Was pretty excited about it so I set it up right away. The tent itself was spacious and ok. My issue is the stakes are so cheap. How would someone use this thing on the rocky AT if the stakes bend in my backyard on initial setup. And I’m talking in the moist Mississippi mud here. It’s going back tomorrow. Disappointed is an understatement. I have had 5 other REI tents and have never had any issues.

No, I do not recommend this product
Helpful?
1 - 10 of 12 Reviews

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